Public hearing Tuesday on proposed water and sewer rate increases

Monday

Nov 19, 2012 at 3:15 AM

By Liz Markhlevskayalmark@fosters.com

ROCHESTER — The City Council Tuesday will hold public hearings on the proposed new sewer and water rates.

The proposed new water rate is $4.60 per 100 cubic feet, and the proposed new sewer rate is $6.24 per 100 cubic feet of water. If the council approves the new rates, suggested by the Utility Advisory Board, the water rate would increase by 11 cents, and the sewer rate would increase by 13 cents.

The proposed increases to the water and sewer rates come with the expected required upgrades to Rochester’s wastewater treatment plant, as the Environmental Protection Agency is considering limiting the amount of nitrogen that’s allowed to be discharged from the plant. While the plant currently discharges more than 20 milligrams per liter of nitrogen, city officials have previously reported that EPA will likely force the city to limit that number to 3 milligrams per liter, which would require multimillion dollar upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant.

After Tuesday’s public hearing, the City Council will hold a special meeting to vote on the resolutions that would increase the water and sewer rates.

The council will also vote on a resolution to purchase property at the intersection of Western Avenue and First Street for $46,000 in anticipation of a construction project being planned there for fiscal year 2014.

The City Council Tuesday will also hold a workshop meeting, during which the Conservation Commission and the Strafford Rivers Conservancy will make a presentation on a proposed conservation easement purchase.

Tuesday’s meeting will take place at 7 p.m., in the council chambers at the City Hall.